- The sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine has formally joined the UK Royal Navy.
- The same day, the first steel was cut for the fourth and final Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
- The UK’s King Charles III attended the twin ceremonies, with the programmes vital to the UK’s future submarine force.
Twin ceremonies at the BAE Systems submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness saw the Royal Navy commission the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), HMS Agamemnon, into service and the first steel cut for the final Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), HMS King George VI.
The events, attending by King Charles III on 22 September, mark key milestones for the Royal Navy’s submarine service, which has seen a prolonged reduction of its fleet. HMS Agamemnon is the sixth of seven Astute-class SSNs, a class of advanced submarines replacing the Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes.
However, with a total of seven Astute boats planned, subsurface capability for the Royal Navy will be scarce. A total of 13 submarines of the older generation Swiftsure and Trafalgar SSNs were manufactured.
The commissioning of HMS Agamemnon came nearly a year to the day since it was launched into the water in 2024. The same year a fire broke out at site’s Devonshire Dock Hall, where the Astute and Dreadnought submarines are being built.
The UK government recently announced a plan to increase the number of nuclear submarines in the Royal Navy, but detailed analysis conducted by Naval Technology has revealed significant flaws in the programme.
Dreadnought and Astute: the UK’s submarine future
Nuclear-powered but conventionally armed, the Astute SSNs weight around 7,400 tonnes, and at 97m in length are the largest attack submarines commissioned into Royal Navy service. Duties will include covert operations, monitoring of maritime infrastructure, and tracking Russian and other non-allied naval vessels.
Conversely, the Dreadnought-class SSBNs are both nuclear-powered and nuclear armed, and will replace the current Vanguard class, which house the Trident II D5 ballistic missiles fitted with the Mk4/A Holbrook nuclear warhead.
The current Vanguard class are undergoing multi-year life-extension programmes in a bid to keep the SSBNs operational until the arrival of the Dreadnought boats, due in the early 2030s.
Once in service, HMS Dreadnought, HMS Valiant, HMS Warspite and HMS King George VI will carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The first six submarines in the Astute class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious, HMS Anson and HMS Agamemnon have been handed over to the Royal Navy, with work underway on the final Astute boat, HMS Achilles (formerly HMS Agincourt).
